Antenna



March 20, 1928.

J. M. CLARK ANTENNA Filed June 22, 1923 INVENTO ATTORNEY Patented Mar.20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT FEE.

JOHN M. CLARK, OF NEW YORK, N. 'I.

ANTENNA.

Application filed June 22, 1923. Serial No. 647,057.

The device, the subject of this invention is an antenna, and while it isutilized for the purpose of collecting radio waves and impulses, it isnot found necessary to suspend this device at a high elevation.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a substitute forinterior or loop antenna.

A further object of the invention is to provide an antenna having asufficient normal wave length, without requiring that the antenna itselfbe of extraordinary length and a still further object of the inventionis to provide an antenna that may be used at a point closelyapproximating, if not actually within the cabinet which contains theamplifying and tuning apparatus and a still further object of theinvention is to produce an antenna, exceedingly sensitive to slightwaves or impulses.

The means whereby the aforesaid objects are accomplished and the detailsof construction will be fully set forth as the specification progressesand the accompanying drawing should be referred to for a completeunderstanding of the specification which follows.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1, is a side elevation of an antenna of preferred construction.

Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive show modified constructions and means of support.

Fig. 2, is a fractional view in side elevation of a device utilizing aspiral wire.

Fig. 3, a similar view of a device employing a plurality of rods ortubes.

Fig. f, a similar view of a device showing a modified means of support.

Fig. 5, is a fractured side elevation of a tube having a still furthermodified supporting means.

Fig. 6, is a sectional view on the line 66 in Fig. 5, viewed in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 in Fig. 4;, the view beingtaken in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8, shows a means of utilizing a series of the devices shown in anyof the foregoing views, and

Fig. 9, shows the arrangement of a plurality of devices in the formationof a loop.

Figs. 8 and 9 are in diagram, only.

Fig. 10, is a fractional side elevation of a still further modifiedconstruction, and

Fig. 11, a sectional view thereof.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in all the figures wherethey appear.

In constructing an antenna, which is to serve as a substitute for theusual suspended wire and one of less area or length than the suspendedwire, it is necessary to accomplish desirable results that thesubstitute be supersensitive and the device which I am about to describehas, under test, demonstrated its possibilities.

My device consists of a glass tube of desirable length; the length whichI have found quite satisfactory is about three feet. Tlje tube 10 inFig. 1, is the tube to which I reier.

Within the tube 10, I place a second tube 11, which may be of copper anddepressions 12 and 13 in the glass tube support the copper tubecentrally disposed within the glass tube 10.

To each end of the copper tube 11, I secure a spiral or rat-tail ofcopper wire as shown at 14c and. 15, these spirals or rat-tails beingfirmly secured to, or formed integral with suitable terminal hooks asshown at 16 and 17, the hooks being supported by cups 1S and 19 whichserve as terminal cups for the glass tube. I may introduce a plasticmetal as indicated at 20 and 21 within the glass tube and surroundingthe copper tube 11, the plastic metal assisting in re taining the tubein place and is so introduced, a small perforation 22 may be producedthrough the wall of the copper tube H for a purpose that shall appearlater.

At 23 I show an exhausting tip such as is usually provided inincandescent lamps and for tubes or bulbs, the interiors of which are tobe maintained under vacuum and when my tube is constructed in the mannerdescribed, the passage through the tip 23 is open. This tip is connectedto a suitable vacuum pump and the interior of the tube subjected to asnear a complete vacuum as possible and thereafter neon gas is admittedto the tube and the tip 23 closed by the application of heat thereto.The perforation 22 allows the interior of the copper tube 11 and theends of the glass tube beyond the restrictions 12 and 13 to be exhaustedand later allows the gas to pass into all parts of both the glass andcopper tubes.

The presence of neon or any other suitable gas of high conductivity willadd materially to the sensitiveness of the device as a whole and Iconsider the use of such gas important.

In Fig. 2, I show the substitution of a coil or spiral of wire as shownat 24. This wire is used in lieu of the copper tube 11. The member 25which may be of metal, is provided merely to support the spiral 24 andprevent the sagging thereof. It a spiral is employed, the glass tube mayand should be of larger diameter as is the tube 26 and in allconstructions I may utilize the "binding post 27 instead of the hooks 16and 17.

I have found that a plurality of metallic tubes 28 and 29 may bearranged within the glass tube 30, as shown in Fig. 3.

d The restrictions 12 and 13 in the glass tube 10 may be omitted andother means provided for supporting the inner metallic tube. In Figs. 4and T, I show a plurality of springs 31, 32, 33 and 34 separating the innor tube 35 and I have tound that this inner tube may be of glass,coated with metal. Upon inserting the inner tube into the glass tube 36,the springs 31 to 34 are compressed and extending against the walls ofthe glass tube 36, retain the inner tube in operative position. I may,however, provide a coil spring 37 which will assist in eliminatinglongitudinal movement of the inner tube.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the tube 38 is supported by a metallic member formedwith a hub 39 and a plurality of resilient arms is shown at 40. In Fig.6, the resilient arms are shown as impinging upon the inner walls of thetube 41.

If it is necessary to utilize an antenna of greater length, a series ol?my devices may be connected in the manner shown in Fig. 8, where threetubes are shown in series, as at 11, 11 and 11, or, as previously stateda plurality of tubes may be arranged in the formation of a loop as shownin Fig. 9, where four tubes are so arranged as indicated at 11, 11, 11and 11. I have not found, however, that a plurality oil. tubes arenecessary or desirable, but the desirability or necessity of such anarrangement may be later discovered. I have employed my antenna tubewithin an ordinary receiving cabinet with very satisfactory results,thus demonstrating its advantages for operable receiving sets.

In the construction shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the copper tube 45 issupported by means of insulating collars or rings 46 and 47 and betweenthese rings I arrange a tube 48 formed of Wire mesh. The wire mesh isspaced away from the tube 45 and to this wire mesh 48 I secure a lead 49from a source of electrical supply of comparatively high potential, thetake-off from the copper mesh consisting of a metallic plate 50 to whichthe other lead from the source of high po tential current may be securedas shown at 51. The enclosing glass tube 52 is ex hausted in the mannerbefore described and gas filled. The high potential current in the wiremesh 48 will set up an electronic discharge, which will serve as a meansfor agitating the gas within the tube, increasing its sensitiveness andconductivity of radio active waves.

Other modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages ofthe invention.

Having carefully and fully described my invention, what I claim anddesire to obtain is:

1. An antenna comprising a glass tube, a metallic tube therein andrestrictions in said glass tube to retain said metallic tube centrallydisposed within said glass tube and means for preventing longitudinalmove ment of said metallic tube.

2. A11 antenna comprising a glass tube, a metallic tube therein andrestrictions in said glass tube to retain said metallic tube centrallydisposed within said glass tube and means for preventing longitudinalmovement of said metallic tube, said means com prising plastic metallicmaterial surrounding said metal tube.

3. An antenna comprising a glass tube, a metallic tube therein, means insaid glass tube to retain said metallic tube centrally disposed withinsaid glass tube and means for preventing longitudinal n'iovement of saidmetallic tube, said means comprising plastic material surrounding saidmetal tube and flexible conductors secured to the ends of said metallictube and extending through said glass tube.

4. An antenna comprising a glass tube, a perforated metallic tubetherein and restrictions in said glass tube to retain said. metallictube centrally disposed within said glass tube and means for preventinglongitudinal movement of said metallic tube, said means comprisingplastic material surrounding said metal tube and neon gas under pressurein said glass tube and beyond the re strict-ions therein.

Signed at the city, county and State of New York, this 4 day of June,1923.

JOHN M. CLARK.

